🎉 Many retail websites don’t have static pricing: Depending on the time or day of the week, you might beat the algorithm and score a better deal. Your best bet for a bargain is early in the week or at off-peak hours (think late at night or early in the morning). Whoa, this tip alone is worth the price of this newsletter. Oh, wait — it’s free!
I wasted 36 hours trying to do it myself
So many of the calls, emails, messages and DMs I get are about privacy and security. I can’t remember the last time I had a full day where no one asked me some version of “How do I get all this info about me off the internet?”
It’s not just you. It’s me, too. After finding my personal cellphone number available on a free people-search site last year, I made it my mission to scrub everything online about me. There are literally hundreds of companies and sites that collect personal info, and they make it extremely hard to get your data removed. Why? Because they profit from selling your data — and mine.
I called the series Opt-Out Tuesday. We put together articles, newsletters and radio segments promoting it. I shared the steps in my nationally syndicated columns. And yet …
I didn’t make a dent
To be fair, we heard from a ton of people who had success following our instructions and removing their info. In fact, the big people search site networks got so peeved, they changed the steps to remove your data after one of my articles went viral.
I spent 36 hours emailing the scummy sites, filling out forms, making calls and even sending letters by USPS. I gave up when I had no real progress. That’s when I researched services to do this for me. I tried three, and I ultimately picked Incogni.
It took me about 3 minutes
Creating an account was easy, and I was immediately opted out of 27 databases, with 47 more requests sent. Now we’re talking about hundreds of sites I’m opted out of with no extra work on my end.
All you have to do is create an account and then enter your name and address. These sites require this info to remove your data — so you’d do that whether or not you use Incogni. Bonus: You can add up to three addresses and three phone numbers, too, so they can catch all the sneaky records.
Then, you grant Incogni permission to reach out on your behalf. After you finish the setup process, you’ll see a list of sites you’ve been removed from and pending requests.
Big Tech is tracking your emails
I have three different work email addresses — and a Gmail address I set up when it launched in 2004. I could never score the handle again today, but after 20 years, that inbox is a mess.
It’s become my disposable email address for coupon codes, free signups and newsletters — pretty much, the nonessential things in my digital life.
Stop blabbin’: Dropbox’s AI may share your files with OpenAI and other third parties. Don’t remember signing up for that? Me, neither. To turn it off, log in to Dropbox, hit your Account icon, go to Settings, find the Third-Party AI tab and toggle the switch to Off.
Kim, does hitting ‘unsubscribe’ work?
Here’s the lowdown on how to stop getting emails you don’t want — without opening yourself up to more junk.
With reputable companies, clicking unsubscribe should do the trick. If you’re receiving newsletters or promotional emails from brands you know, they generally follow email marketing regulations.
For unsolicited spam from unknown senders, unsubscribing may indeed make things worse. By clicking that link, you inadvertently confirm your email address is active, which could lead to even more spam.
‘How do I know what to pick?’
Stick to familiar ground. If the email’s from a trusted source (think brands you’ve shopped with or newsletters you’ve signed up for), go ahead and hit “Unsubscribe.”
If it’s a random email about a long-lost prince or a miracle cure, steer clear of clicking the unsubscribe link. Mark the email as spam in your email client.
- For Outlook: Select the messages you want to report as junk, then, from the top toolbar, select Report > Report Junk.
- For Apple Mail: On your iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message, tap More, then Move to Junk.
- For Gmail: Select one or more emails, then click Report spam.
🕶️ And don’t forget to use your provider’s built-in features to keep your real email address private. Apple’s Hide My Email is sweet, and Gmail lets you create unlimited aliases. Here’s how to use both.
Time-saving tricks using your keyboard
I spend hours and hours (and hours) online every week looking for the latest in tech for my national radio show, podcasts and, of course, newsletter.
I rounded up eight browser keyboard shortcuts I use so you can spend less time clicking around for the right button, too.
Creeps are hiding cameras in dressing rooms, bathrooms and worse
Stories like this make my blood boil. Some creep was caught taking pics up a woman’s skirt at a Target store. Let’s give a big cheer to the woman who called him out and filmed it.
I’m giving away a $799 iPhone 15. Try my free daily newsletter for your shot to win. My newsletter has over 209,000 positive reviews with a 4.88 out of 5 star rating!
The ad-friendly skies: Fly United and you’ll soon see personalized ads in the app and on the back of your seat. Just one more way to make money off you. But since you get this free newsletter, here’s where you can opt out of the ads. You’re welcome.
The new Komando Reddit page: Find it here. I’m not sure who set it up, but it’s a nice spot to share tech intel, helpful info you read in my newsletter and anything else you want to share. I’d like each of you to make one post in this new subreddit today. Before you say, “I don’t do Reddit, Kim,” just try it. Let’s make it huge together!
“My radio station used to carry your show, but this is a great replacement,” wrote Nancy in Miami, Florida. Now, friends, my free newsletter isn’t a replacement for my national award-winning radio show. The show is loaded with things you won’t find here, along with the best callers ever. Find my show on a radio station near you or as a podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Put down your phone: … after you finish this newsletter. Researchers found scrolling social media for just 15 minutes less improved subjects’ health, immunity, sleep, anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Premium subscribers are getting an AI-powered “Jump Ahead” feature to skip to the best parts of videos. Enable the feature, double-tap to skip as usual and hit the new button that appears. It’s available on Android devices only (for now). You’ll know about it first because you get my free newsletter!
🎸 Update to yesterday’s newsletter: I linked to Randy Travis’ new song made with AI (and Travis’ blessing) because Travis can no longer sing since his 2013 stroke. Thanks for all the replies to learn more about the AI involved. Watch this CBS Sunday Morning story. Someone must’ve been cutting onions when I watched it.
Roughly 20% of people reuse passwords across multiple sites, and many don’t know the difference between a good password and bad password. You’re smarter than that — you read this newsletter! Remember, using three random words in a password is more secure than selecting random letters and numbers.
🌟 I did the math: My average rating for this newsletter is 4.88 out of 5 with over 240,000 positive reviews. (Thank you!) Share your unique referral link towards the bottom of this email with family and friends to win great prizes, including $1,000 in cash. Btw, if you want to sign up your HOA, social group, classroom or school, let me know, because there’s a better way than using your referral link.
Organize your inbox
Don’t let the junk take over your email. Take back your time with Clean Email instead.
I’d make a joke about Inbox Zero, but let’s be real – that is the joke!
😎 #Komandodiditfirst: Isn’t that a great hashtag?! The NY Times just published an exposé on GM and LexisNexis’ shady data collection for drivers. But you probably already knew that — I shared the news three weeks ago right here in my free newsletter! I’ll always get you the inside scoop. If you missed it, here’s how to stop their snooping.
15 websites you’ll wish you knew about sooner
It’s been way too long since I shared a big list of handy websites. Dig in, and I’ll bet you’ll find at least a couple you just have to visit. (And none are advertisers — just sayin’.)